Dialogue and Study Visit for the Transformation of the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian Conflicts
Series of Abkhaz-Georgian and South Ossetian-Georgian Dialogue and study-visit workshops in Chisinau and Tiraspol are conducting by IKV Pax Christie and Berghof Peace Supporting partnership with: Agency for Economic, Social and Cultural Development, International Center on Conflict and Negotiation, World Without Violence
The project is funded by the European Union
The workshops bring together young leaders and activists form the both sides, combining a study-visit dynamic with dialogue workshops.
The partner organizations share the conviction that it is crucial to broaden the space for dialogue through people-to-people contact.
This project aims:
Methodology
The programme seeks to develop capacities to address the situations that show the similarity with their everyday environment, looking from different perspectives (meetings with politicians, annalists, scholars, journalists, representatives from civil societies in both sides – Chisinau and Tiraspol).
Study visit is a proven and effective methodology for analyses and better understanding of issues relevant to their own cases. It serves as a source of inspiration and a basis for dialogue and creative reflection.
Based on creativity and inspiration the dialogue project seeks to explore options for the ways of peaceful resolution.
I Moldova Meeting of Georgian-Abkhaz Young Professionals
Preliminary Meeting was conducted according to the project proposal at ICCN office. Participants identified and candidates for the future visits worked together on documents and information offered by the ICCN team.
Moldova
Meeting started in Chisinau and continued in Tiraspol. It was run on January 27 -February 3, 2010. Last two days were dedicated to the reflection on experience got during the visit, small group work and discussion on problems existed in relationships and in communities.
There were experts from non-governmental and govenmental structures invited to share their experience and understunding of situation in Moldova.
In Chisinau participants met:
The main points expresed were:
In Tiraspol meetings were organized with:
Impressions after the meeting:
Moldova conflict is not an easy one Communication is easier pragmatism of parliamentarians Background for political development(existed format, documents) Moldova has no IDPs The number of victims/people killed is very law Kishinev is "Europe oriented", Tiraspol is "USSR oriented" etc.
Agreements Reached
It is agreed that:
Georgians and Abkhaz are parties in conflict;
parties are for peaceful resolution of conflict;
they have to participate as an equal parties in negotiations;
Neutrality towards radical positions and cooperation for dealing with challenges, resolution of actual issues people face (especially bordering communities)
it is essential to find out alternatives for IDP problem; they have to start the process and develop it step by step and, it is important for both sides.
Follow-up Meetings/Presentations
Follow-up presentations were held in Tbilisi (ICCN office) and Batumi (Batumi State University).
Workshop at the ICCN office was conducted on February 13, 2010. The theme of the workshop was: Moldova-Transdnistria meeting, the first event within the project - "Engagement Through Dialogue", Dialogue and Study Visit for the Transformation of the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian Conflict", funded by European Union.
Georgian-Abkhaz meeting in Moldova was held on January 27 – February 2, 2010. I was6 working days event conducted in Chisinau and Tiraspol. Participants were 5+5 young professionals + coordinators from the Abkhaz and Georgian sides. Facilitators of the process were Dr. Oliver Wolleh (Berghof Peace Support, Program Coordinator Caucasus) and Cinta Depondt (Senoir Programme Officer Caucasus).
Participants of the Follow-up workshop were – participants of the dialogue, participants from the Kosovo meeting and future candidates, also people engaged in the project (ICCN team), representatives of the governmental and nongovernmental organizations, media representative’s etc., 25 persons altogether.
The workshop was organized by the ICCN team and conducted by Tinatin Asatiani (Facilitator, Program Coordinator).
Agenda
Introduction, acquaintance
Young Participants` Group Presentation(George Shaishmelashvili, Mikhail Jakhua, Shota Shanava, Maia Ivelashvili, Tsiala Katamidze)
coordinatour`s power point presentation (Tinatin Asatiani)
Coffee
whole group discussion
summery
During the discussion various interesting ideas were generated. Feedback was positive and the experts as well as other participants underlined that such kind of meetings are very important and helpful for the development of the peace processes in the region.
Also several comments/questions were stated:
How could we manage sustainability and succession of the process?
We decided that more ideas and initiatives would be generated for the further development of in-between period of the project.
Are the criteria for selection reliable? (e.g. "young professionals") etc.
Participants of the discussion were provided with the additional information on the format and agreed principles of the process created.
Clarification for the preparatory process and the criteria for the candidates` identification were shared and discussed.
During the workshop several printed materials were distributed: project papers, Maia Ivelashvili`s radio ‘Tavisupleba’material, iccn materials.
II Moldova Meeting
Preliminary Meeting was conducted according to the project proposal at ICCN office. Participants who were identified and candidates for the future visits worked together on documents and information offered by the ICCN team.
Chisinau
Dialogue and Study Visit for the Transformation of the Georgian-Ossetian Conflicts was held on April 10-17, 2010.
Meetings in Chisinau were organized with:
Main points underlined were:
Tiraspol
Meetings with the experts in Tiraspol:
Impressions Purticipants Underlined
Moldova conflict is not an easy one Communication is easier pragmatism of parliamentarians Kishinev is "Europe oriented", Tiraspol - not. Possibility of movement across the "boarder" Lack of interest towards conflict, neutrality, unclear agenda International organizations are passive
Agreements
(Moldova)
It was agreed that:
Disagreement on:
Evidence of Russian influence – Russia as guarantee of peace Transdnistria has a problem with development – Transdnistria will be developed soon as it has economic background There is no independent Media in Transdnistria – civil society and independent media exists and develops
What could be done for positive development of our conflict:
Follow-up
Follow-up presentations were held in Tbilisi (ICCN office, Georgian University)